Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital An Interview with Robert Putnam Robert Putnam Putnam’s main contention here is that in the post cold war era, civic engagement has given way to passive reliance on state and media apparatus. Historically, the US has been a model for self-federation and active, participatory democracy – this is enshrined in de Tocqueville’s work. Yet, this slide toward federation always comes at the expense... Read More
Of Monsters and Men – My Head is an Animal : Such amazingly wonderful, sweet, poppy goodness from this Reykjavik-based 6 piece. I especially appreciate the omnipresent accordion and loud shout-outs that occur throughout the album. I do wish the vocals were a bit more difficult to get at . . . but I suppose [...]
The Hylozoists – L’Île de Sept Villes: This 2009 effort from Toronto based instrumental collective is based on Paul Chaisson’s book The Island Of Seven Cities. After much archaeological research trouncing about in the wayfarlands of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Chaisson argues that a Chinese presence existed in North America long before the arrival of European [...]
The Dead Trees – Whatwave : A lot of pretty nice songs for late Summer on this release. The West Coast by way of Boston quartet is signed to the German Affairs of the Heart label (who also publishes the work of one of my faves Nik Freitas). So many good LA-based bands working for [...]
